Oil-cake-molding machine



(No Model.)

W. P. SHAPFER.

OIL CAKE MOLDING MACHINE.

No. 372,574. Patented Nov. 1, 1887.

llNiTED STATES l ATENT Orricn.

WILLIAM F. SHAFFER, or CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

OIL-CAKE-MOLD!NG MACHINE,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 372,574. dated November 1, 1887,

Application filed March 1, 1887. Serial No. 229,307. (No model.)

$0 a whom, it may concern/.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. SHAFFER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn: and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oil-Cake-Molding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to presses used in the molding of oil-cakes preparatory to expressing the oil; and my object is to improve the construction of the machine so as to reduce the cost thereof, and at the same time render it more cfficieut and make its operation more easy and rapid;

The invention consists in such a construction as will admit of a'downward instead of upward movement of the press in forming the cake; in means for tilting thepress or follower for the removal of the cake; in means for lifting the cake out of the mold; in a device for laying the press-cloth in the mold to receive the meal, and in the general construction, adaptation, and arrangement of the parts of the machine, as will be fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the machine; Fig. 2, a crosssection of the same in theline w m,- Fig. 3, a crossseetion of the same in the line z, showing also an end'view of the device for laying the presscloth in the mold-and the follower tilted backward; Fig. 4, a longitudinal section of the mold and a front elevation of the device for laying the press-cloth; Fig. 5, a plan view of a supplemental plate or shim to reduce the depth of the mold; and Fig. 6, a similar View of a modified form of plate upon which the cake rests in molding andby which it is lifted out of the mold.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre-.

sponding parts.

The invention is shown in connection with a steam-pressure device, and is more specially applicable to this class of molders. .It is usual, however, to so construct these presses that the cake is formed by an upwardpressure of the follower or mold; but in order to i the more perfect formation of the cake, as well as convenient operation of the molder, it is desirable to reverse this movement. To do so demands a special adaptation of the parts to the changed relation of things, and this is illustrated in the present invention. I

A steam-press, A, in the nature of a common enginecylinder and piston-connections, is mounted under the form or mold B, secured to the top of the frame 0. The cylindrical valve (not shown) of this steam-press, which is of a common form, is actuated by means of a crank, E, on the transverse shaft F, the motion of which is transmitted to the shaft F of the valve by bevel-gearing. It will be seen that the crank is within easy reach of the operator. A quarter-turn of the crankmoves the valve to its extreme positions, alternating the piston of the press accordingly. The lower end of the piston-rod A connects with a crosshead, A, moving vertically in suitable ways in the frame 0. To the extending ends of this crosshead are attached connecting-rods D D, which at their upper ends are secured to the follower G at points sufficiently high to allow thefollower to descend as low as may be desired in the mold B, this being effected by an attachment with the lugs a a.

It is only- .necessary now to provide for such a considerable movement of the cross-head as will this simple form the invention would admit of theadjustment of the press-cloth in the mold, to be mentioned hereinafter, and provision for the easy removal of the cake by means substantially similar to those hereinafter described, and would constitute an improvement over the common type of presses, in which the pressure is exerted upwardly. But to render the machine more convenient than such a one would be provision is made for the tilting backward of the follower when elevated, so that the whole top of the mold is clear of any obstruction, and the press-cloth may be laid and the cake removed with the greatest facility. This result is secured by pivoting the lower ends of the connecting-rods to the cross-head and permitting themto swing backwardly as far as may be desired when the follower is raised. As these arms are subjected to great strain, it is necessary that they should be very strong,

them as light as possible.

made perfectly straight from their connection with the cross-head to the point of bifurcation near the upper end, where they connect with the follower. This necessitates, in the case of the tilting follower, an opening in the frame to admit the passage of the arms, as hereinafter more fully set forth. It is evident that this construction secures the maximum of power with comparatively light material in the arms, and'is regarded as an important improvement over arms offset to allow for the interposition of the frame. The lug b on the frame serves as one stop, and a shoulder, c, on the quadrant H as another, to limit the tilt of the connecting-rod, and the latter stop, in connection with the longitudinal bearing afforded by the quadrants, serves as a guide for the connecting-rodwhen in operative position, and determines the movement of the follower. The top of the follower is provided with a handle, (2, by which it is swung back and forth, and to render this operation easy the connecting-rods are provided with a counterbalance-spring, e.

The bottomless meal-box I is mounted and adapted to slide from end to end of the tables J in the usual manner. In order, however, to allow for the tilting of the connecting-rods, and for other reasons hereinafter mentioned, the continuity of these tables is broken by flaps J J, hinged to the tables proper,of which they form a part, and adapted to swing down with their upper surfaces flush with the top of the tables and their free ends a a resting upon the ends ofthe mold or form B. A small spring, 1;, in connection with the angular ends of the hinges h h, serves to hold these flaps in a vertical position, when the follower may swing freely back and forth. The tables are mounted on suitable brackets, K K, having brace-rods ff.

The mold B is a simple box, rectangular or somewhat tapering in horizontal outline, as may be preferred. In this simple form it may be used in connection with the other parts of the machine, as already described. But for convenience in the manipulation of the cake certain improvementsin the construction of the mold have been devised. Instead of a permanent plane bottom for the cake to rest upon in the operation of forming, I provide the mold with a movable bottom, B, fitting nicely the inside of the mold and guided in its vertical movement by suitable guide-pins, g g, passing through corresponding holes in the bottom of the mold proper. The tendency of a plane plate to catch the press-cloth at the edges and out it is limited by raising a bead, m, at each side of the upper surface of this false bottom. The bottom Bis elevated for the easy removal of the cake by pressing down the pedal L, connected by the rod j with the connected bell-cranks la la, and these, with plungers Z Z, passing through the bottom of the mold B, and supporting, in the operation of lifting it, the bottom plate, B. The plate is depressed by its own weight.

The manipulation of the cake is still further facilitated by the use of the removable plate B,which is provided with a handle, as shown,

necting-rods D D, this handle should be hinged to drop down, preferably by a rule-joint, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.. As the end of this plate projects beyond the end of'the mold, the latter is provided with a, removable end piece, M,which may be designated as a gate. This is hinged at the back side of the mold, and is held at the front side by a lateral lug, n. The free end of the gate is extended forward in the form of a handle, by which it is lifted or depressed. For t-hat'portion of its length corresponding to the width of the inside of the mold I make an offset, 1), in the top of this gate, to allow for the press cloth between it and the flap J. The parts are also preferably beveled, as shown. In practice I turn up the end of the plate B, to form a suitable flange for the con- Venient attachment ofthe handle. The gate should shut inside this flange. In order that the plate may not extend too far beyond the end of the mold, I make the lower edge of the gate thin, as shown in Fig. at, by hollowing out the outer and lower side of the gate, as shown in Fig. 3.

The device for laying the press-cloth is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In placing this in the mold it is desirable to press the cloth 8 close up into the corners at the ends, so as to make the cake correspondingly square at each end. This I accomplish by means of two presser-feet, 0 0, connected with pivoted arms 2) p, mounted on top of the follower. Provision is made for the peculiar movement required of the presser-feet in performing their functions by connecting them with the armspp by links (1 q, hinged byjoints at right angles to each other, as shown. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 4 that the arms are some distance in from the ends of the mold,and that the presser-feet curve outwardly toward the ends. \Vhen in their normal position, the pressenfeet incline to assume the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. In this position they strike the hollow of the cloth laid in the mold from end to end, and,as the movement of the arms is continued downward, press it neatly into the corner at each end. The pressure being withdrawn,the presser-feet fall back .from the ends ofthe mold by their own gravity,

and, without disturbing the cloth, are carried up and out by the springs r 1' on the pivot of the presser device. A connecting-bar, 1;,serves to stiffen the device and as a handle in operat ing it.

The depth of the mold, and the consequent thickness of the cake, may be varied by placing under the movable bottom 13 a shim, N, which may be of metal or fibrous material, and is so simple as to require no more particular description.

In the drawings gates are shown at each end of the mold, and this I regard as preferable, since it is sometimes desirable to open both ends of the mold, and especially as it is easier to finish the inside of the mold when open at both ends than if closed at one or both. Subject to this objection, however, the gate at the left end might be dispensed with, as the one at the other end, which has been already de' scribed, suffices for the removal of the plate upon which the cake rests,and the other is sel dom used.

Thus constructed, the mold isneat and compact in appearance, con'iparatively light and inexpensive, and is capable of being easily and rapidly operated by one man. The product is a shapely well-molded cake, in the best form and condition for placing in the oilpress, and so thin that two or more of them may be placed in the same box together.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of a fixed mold, a follower therefor, arms extend ing in a right line from the follower to a pivoted connection at the lower end with suitable pressure apparatus, and a frame having an opening therein for the passage of said arms when tilted, substantially as described.

2. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of a fixed mold, a follower adapted to move vertically and swing back and forth, arms conneeting said follower in a right line with suitable pressure apparatus, a frame having an opening therein to allow for the oscillation of said arms, and springs to counterbalance the weight of the arms and follower, substantially as described.

3. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of a fixed central mold, lateral tables for the mealbox, and hinged flaps adapted when closed to connect the tables with the mold, and when open to allow the passage of a tilting follower, substantially as set forth.

4. In an oilcake molder, the combination of an open ended mold, a follower therefor mounted on arms near the ends of said mold, and a gale pivoted to swing in a vertical plane, and when closed form the end of said mold, substantially as specified.

5. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of a mold having a fixed bottom, a movable internal bottom plate therefor, plungers passing through the fixed bottom of the mold, a footlever, and bell cranks connected with said plungers, the foot-lever, and each other, substantially as specified, whereby the movable plate is raised to discharge the cake from the mold.

6. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of the open ended mold having an end-gate hinged to swing upwardly, the movable bottom plate operated by a foot-lever and connected mechanism, substantially as specified, and a plate resting on said movable bottom plate and extending below and outside said gate, whereby the cake may be conveniently raised from the mold and transferred to the press, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, in an oil-eake molder, of a central mold, lateral tables for the mealbox, hinged sections or flaps connecting, when closed, the tables with the mold, and springs engaging with said hinged sections, substantially as specified, and adapted to hold them upright when raised, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, in an oil-cake molder, of the open-ended mold B, gate M, hinged to swing in a vertical plane, the arms D D, follower G, and frame C, having the lug a, substantiall y as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with the mold of an oil cake molder, of the outwardlycurved presser-feet 0 0, the pivoted arms p, and the link-connection q q, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of the pivoted arms p p of a presser device, substantially as specified, and the retraetile spring 0", substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of the open-ended mold B, the hinged flap J, having its free edge beveled, and the gate M, having its upper edge beveled to correspond with the flap, and with an offset to allow for the press-cloth between said gate and ilap when closed, substantially as set forth.

12. In an oil-cake molder, the combination of the mold,the plate B, having the up wardlyturned flange and the handle, as described, and the gate M, having the thin bottom edge adapted to engage with said plate inside said flange, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereoflaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM F. SHAFFER. IVitnesses:

S. W. oRToN,

FRANK G. CLARK. 

